Toothbrush



G. R. MARTZ. TOOTHBRUSH. l APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29, 1919.

Patented Mar. 23, 1920.

@Hofe-'141,13

GEORGE R. MARTZ, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

TOOTHBRUSH.

Application filed September 29, 1919.

and a brush that is sanitary and convenient for being carried in a pocket in the clothing or in a traveling bag.

In carrying out the invention I use a handle having a longitudinally extending passage through its entire length to receive a plunger having a spiral groove extending along part of the length of same, the said handle assuming the relation of a housing to the plunger'. The nongrooved end of the plunger protrudes from the end of the handle through. an aperture in a removable retaining member and terminates in a thumb ring integral thereto, the said retaining member engaging a collar on the plunger. A cylindric support integral with the opposite end of the handle receives a rotatable cylndric brush, the said brush having a trunnion at its outer end which engages in a socket in the inner surface of the head of the cylindric support and a longitudinal bore extending through the Greater portion of the core of the said brusIi adjacent the center of the core, the plunger entering the said bore from the inner end of the brush and retaining the brush in the support. By operating the plunger longitudinally of the handle the brush is caused to rotate by means of an inwardly protruding pin within the bore in the core of the same which engages in the spiral groove in the plunger;

lVVhen in operation the brush is partially exposed by a longitudinally disposed opening in one side of the cylindric support, the support covering that portion of the brush which does not engage the teeth, and when not in operation the brush may be inclosed by means of a slide so disposed as to cover the said opening. The plunger may be removed from the handle by removing the retaining member and thereby releasing the brush which may be removed from the sup- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 23, 1920.

serial No. 327,090.

port and sterilized or replaced by a new brush.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accom panying drawings, in which an example of' the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure l is a side elevation showing the handle in section of tooth brush constructed in accordance with this invention,

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the brush with the slide open,

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the brush with the slide closed, and

Fig. el is a sectional view of the brush.

In the drawings the numeral 5 designates a cylindric support having a handle 6 integral therewith, the said handle having a longitudinally disposed passage 7 extending through its entire length and receiving a plunger 8 having a spiral groove 9 extending along part of its length. A cylindrie rotatable brush 10 having a longitudinally disposed bore ll extending the major portion of the length of the core l2. The said brush is retained within the eylindric support at the outer end by means of a trunnion 13 engaging within a socket la in the inner surface of the head of the cylindric support and at the inner end by the plunger engaging in the bore in the core of the brush, the plunger being retained in engagement in the bore by means of a collar l5 integral with the plunger which engages a removable retaining member 16 adjacent the termination of the handle.

The plunger protrudes from the end of the handle through an aperture in the retaining member and terminates in a thumb ring 17 by means of which it may be operated longitudinally of the handle. An inwardly protruding pin 18 within the bore in the core of the brush engages within the spiral groove extending along the plunger and causes the brush to rotate transversely of the handle when the plunger is operated.

The cylindric support has a longitudinally disposed opening 19 extendingV along one side of the saine which exposes the portion of the brush engaging the teeth, the support serving to shroud the portion of the brush which does not engage the teeth and thereby preeluding the laceration of the mucous membrane.

By rotating a oylindric brush transversely of a handle when the Said handle is held in a horizontal position, a vertical movement of the bristles is effected, and by exposing that portion ofthe brush which engages the teeth and shrouding the portion not engaging the teeth to preclude the laceration of the mucous membrane, the teeth may be thoroughly .cleansed with ease and comfort, all waste matter being removed from between the teeth.

- The brush 10 may bevcompletely incased within the cylindric support 5 by means of a slidable cover 20 engaging the support in such a manner as to be movable into such a positionY as to Close the opening 19. The said cover being retained in engagement with the support by means of an immovably projecting'flange 21 which engages in a transverse groove 22 adjacent the inward Y end of the support.

A reciprocating spiral spring 23 disposed within the passage 7 and surrounding the plunger 8 assists in the operation of the said plunger by engaging the collar 15 and shoulders 24 occurring within the passage, thereby returning the plunger to a withdrawn position when it is released after having been pressed. An outwardly protruding collar 6 integral with the handle 6 Venables the brush to be more easily held.

e ByV removing the retaining member 16 the Vplunger is released'and may be withdrawn from the handle; thereby releasing the brush and permitting the latter to be removed from the support and sterilized or a new brush supplied.

It will be noted that a brush constructed in accordance with this invention is sanitary and convenient for being carried.

What I claim, is:

l. In a tooth brush, a cylindric support, a removable rotatable brush within the support, a handle member integral with the support, a finger pressed spiral plunger disposed within the handle member and engaging within the brush for rotating the brush and retaining the brush within the support, the said handle member assuming the relation of a housing to the plunger, an operating means between the plunger and the handle member, and means for re f member and engaging the pin so as to rotate the brush when operated, a reciprocating spring between the plunger and the handle -member, an opening in the cylindric support for exposing that portion of the brush engaging the teeth, removable means for retaining the plunger within the handle member, means for removing the plun er from the handle member, and means or removing the brush from the support.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GEORGE R. MARTZ. 

